I was excited to learn that my block had been accepted, and that I would be a stop on your tour! These magazine issues are always so much fun to look through.

My block is on page 40 and is called Conversation Hearts. It was kind of an experiment to see if I could find a use for those small snippets of selvages and reminded me of the candies that we always got for Valentine's Day as kids.

Once I decided that the selvages would work, I had to decide on the size and number of hearts in a 12 in. block. I settled on five hearts, and left the green polka dot one with a blank insert, so I could sign it there. Which gave me another idea for this block. It could make a cute signature/autograph/friendship quilt!

Not only is it useful for those tiny selvage bits, but it's also super scrap-friendly! (My block is made from scraps.) And you could rearrange the hearts within the block itself if you didn't want every single block to be exactly the same. It's made using simple clip and flip piecing.Here are two options, mocked up in the new line Sorbet by Leonie Bateman (Riley Blake Designs). They're very similar but the one on the top has the hearts in every other block flipped in arrangement.

The more I look at it, the more I think it would make a sweet autograph quilt! Maybe the recipient likes bolder colors...

Reminds me of Skittles. :D Which I wish I could give you as a lovely parting gift as a thank you for stopping by. But since I can't, instead I can offer you a chance to win one of two prizes:1) a copy of this issue, sponsored by Quiltmaker.2) Two of my patterns, whichever two that you would like to choose. (Visit the My Patterns tab at the top of the page up there to view them.)

All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment below, letting me know where you are from and what your favorite local attraction is. In case I am ever in your neck of the woods and am looking for some sights to see. :D I will pick the winners next Tuesday.Thanks for stopping by, and please come by anytime! If you have any kids or grandkids that might like to learn to sew, send them over to check out the Minecraft or Pokemon sew along pages! Hope to see you again soon!!Don't forget to stop by the Quilty Pleasures blog every day this week to visit the rest of the stops on the road rally and enter to win the prizes from Quiltmaker! Huge thanks to them for putting out this issue and always organizing such a fun event!

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comments...:

Hi Kelli,I live in Dunedin, Florida. The largest attraction closest to me are the beaches. But the attraction I like best is Busch Gardens Tampa. Everyone is happy there no matter your age. If you want to make a weekend out of it you can throw in Adventure Island. An affiliate of Busch Gardens but on hot summer days in Florida there is no other place to be than a huge sprawling Water Park(or the beach). The water there is cooler than the Gulf of Mexico! So comforting. But anytime of the year you can go to Busch Gardens Tampa Especially if you like rides and rollar coasters.

What a great way to use scraps, I love your block!I am from a small town in Norway, and my favorite local attraction is the forest nearby my home. It is so nice to take hikes there, pick wild berries in summer(yummy blueberries and raspberries) and mushrooms in fall. It gives me lots of energy and relieves stress to take a walk in the beautiful surroundings and just enjoy the sounds of birds and occasional sightings of squirrels.

Kelli, I absolutely love your block.I like the idea of using scraps and selvages. I think it would make a cute baby quilt also by using a text print strip in the heart too.I have a print with some really cute sayings.I am from a very small town in N.E. Georgia. It is mostly a college town so the only local attraction would be in the Spring and Fall when we have our Festivals.Congratulations and thank you for the giveaway.

So cute! I live in Port Hope Ontario Canada. We're about 60 miles from downtown Toronto, which has lots of attractions. In Port Hope, there is the Canadian Firefighters museum, or we could go north by 20 km and go fishing in Rice Lake for some walleye (aka pickerel).

I love your block and the diffferent quilt versions! I'm from the Lehigh Valley in PA (Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton) and there are so many places to go and things to do here that it is hard to name just one. At this time of year I'd say it is Christkindlemart, modeled after the outdoor Christmas markets of Europe. My daughter, granddaughter, and I always go the day after Thanksgiving and spend way more money than we intended to :) So many beautiful handmade items. And it is under huge (I mean huge!) tents so the weather doesn't matter.

Thank you for your blog post. I live in Katy, Texas, not far from Houston. Houston has a lot of great restaurants. We have great baseball games. We are World Series champions this year. South of Houston is NASA space center where you can tour a space shuttle. And of course, if you come in November, you can go to International Quilt Festival.

I live in Maquoketa, IA. A fun attraction to visit here is the Maquoketa Caves. Lots of different caves to explore and a great place to camp (if you enjoy that sort of thing). Also, just 20 miles away is the Mississippi River. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

I'm in Texas and there are so many fun spots to see and do. We love just driving down country roads and seeing farms and trees and wildflowers. Come in the spring when the roadsides are bursting with color.

A few of these blocks would make a great wall hanging for Valentine's Day! We live in Minnesota, and we like to drive to Duluth to watch the ships sail under the Aerial Lift Bridge and visit the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center.

I live in the Netherlands and every year I am looking Forward to this fantastic magazine. I a win this time.. I don't have to order it. Because I have all the numbers till so far. My favorite attraction is The Efteling Very famous, look on internet. when you visit My country and you take some kids with you, Go there!!!

Your block is so much fun! I would definitely use it and embroider words in that space would be meaningful for the recipient. I live in Falls Church, Virginia. It's a 15 minute drive to Washington, DC, where the Smithsonian Museums are located, and a 25 minute drive to Mount Vernon where George Washington lived. Our country's early history is easy to find here.

I live in Key Largo, Florida the best thing to do here is relax, but for fun you can't miss Robbie's for local artists and feeding the tarpon. I think your block would make a wonderful wedding signature quilt done in the wedding colors.

I live in South Mississippi, an hour's drive to New Orleans and the beaches on the Gulf Coast! For a visit to Florida, a three hour's drive will get you there - the Emerald Coast at Panama City is certainly a sight to see! I love the idea of a signature friendship quilt! Really does remind me of the Valentine's candy - so sweet! Thank you for sharing, Susan

I am from Florence, Alabama. We are on the shores of the beautiful "Singing River" (that is what the local Indian Tribes called it) aka Tennessee River. Florence is also part of The Quad Cities which includes Muscle Shoals Alabama where lots of stars like to record their music. Muscle Shoals is known as "The hit recording capital of the world" and brings every genre to record, country, rock, and blues. They have even made a movie and documentary about us in case you may not have seen it :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXY2NmrLuiw

I live in a small town in the middle of Wisconsin. My favorite local attraction would have to be our local park. It is beautiful spring summer and fall.I save salvages so your block is prefect for me. Thanks for the chance to win.

OMG, I just looooove your conversation hearts. My granddaughter wants to learn to sew and these would be so much fun to do with her. Thanks for sharing!

I live in New York. We are in the mountains which are celebrated for the phenomenal color in the fall. One of my favorite things in my area is the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. I love to go see the big balloons! So amazing!

{{{{{Hey Kelli}}}}} I'm in Charlotte, NC where there is an amazing spinning, spitting, gigantic metal head water sculpture!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZMC3evzpXkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nq-aAzwuMg

I live in Sonora, CA which is considered the Foothills. I enjoy going to Twain Harte which is only 25 minutes away from us. A lot of trees, cooler and lots of stores to stroll thru. I love your block and it sure would make a great autograph quilt. Both of your options are appreciated and sure helps in deciding when using your block to make yourself a quilt. Thank you for being a part of the Road Rally Tour and wishing you Happy Holidays. Enjoy your blog and look forward to your creative ideas.

I live in Bellflower, CA. I am only 8 miles from Knotts Berry Farm and 15 from Disneyland. Toward LA there are lots of attractions--Universal studios, etc. And, within 2 hours south of me is Legoland, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, etc. LOTS to see and do!!

i am from Basel, Switzerland! A must see is the Münsterchurch and doing a ferry trip over the Rhein onto the other side of Basel. Lots of museums and parks and just walking along the Rehin and along the old town is ver romantic.

I now live in Tuscaloosa, AL. The University of Alabama, the River Walk, and Makers Market are the things that came to mind. The River Walk is a peaceful walk along the Black Warrior River which runs through town. The Makers Market is a store that sells hand made items made by local people. Of course, if you came the 3rd week in October, I would have to say Kentuck. Kentuck is an juried arts and crafts fair that is held then every year in our twin city of Northport. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net

I am from Maryland, between Gettysburg, Baltimore and Washington DC. We homeschool here, so it's a perfect place to learn so much history. I recommend the Smithsonians, Fells Point in Baltimore, Main Street and all the attractions in Gettysburg, and if you're really adventurous. Continue north in the summertime from Gettysburg on Route 30 and you'll come across the Totem Pole playhouse in Caledonia State park. I worked there in the summer as my first job in junior high school. Jean Stapleton (of All in the Family fame) and her husband Bill Putch owned it years ago. Come through on a Saturday afternoon and catch a summer stock matinee. Wonderful owners now, have brought it back to it's glory. One of those little treasures tucked away in the woods. :) Congrats on your wonderful block and being a part of volume 16!!

Hi, Kelli. Absolutely love your heart quilt and agree that it would be a great birthday quilt for a young girl where all her friends attending her birthday party could sign it. What a great memory quilt for her. I live in Longview, Texas and each summer in July we have The Great Texas Balloon Race. Great weekend with famous entertainment and fun things for the whole family.

I only have 3 of the previous editions. Sad, isn't it. I'm misplaced, in the far western suburbs of Chicago. My favorite local attractions are some of the quilt shops around here, like Sewing, Etc, in Yorkville, and The Fabric Center in Morris, IL. I'll be visiting the latter on Friday, and might get to stop by the first one, on the way home. Sorry, I pretty much never travel into Chicago.

I live in Houston. There are so many things to see and do here as well as places to eat. One of my favorite places to take people who visit me is the Museum of Natural Science's Cockrell Butterfly Center. Everyone of all ages enjoys the butterflies, the 50-foot waterfall and the tropical plants all inside a glass dome!

What a charming block.I am in the Vancouver, BC CANADA area. One of my favourite places to visit is Stanley Park, in the heart of the city. There is so much to see and do in this park that it could easily be a weekend excursion.

I'm from the Champlain Islands in Vermont. I guess the biggest "attraction" is Lake Champlain - with boat rides, beaches, and fishing (summer or winter!) We are about 1 hour away from the Ben & Jerry's factory - their tour is always popular. And we are about an hour from Montreal too.

What fun to read where people are from and to learn about the unique places to visit where they live. Imagine, your beautiful heart block brought all these people together. If that isn't love, nothing is...and so is quilting. I live on Prince of Wales Island in S.E. Alaska across the water from Ketchikan. We can be reached by ferry or by plane. Our wildlife abounds and it is wonderful to surrounded by water and sealife. Thanks for sharing your talents.

What a clever way to use selvage bits! I'm visiting from Kentucky. There is not too much excitement right in my town. But a couple hours away there are gorgeous horse farms and Red River Gorge. Worth a visit!

I live just west of Many La, which is in west-Central Louisiana. The attraction here is Toledo Bend Reservoir, a HUGE bass fishing lake. It's been the #1 lake a lot in the past few years, national tournaments have been hosted here, etc. It's gorgeous! And is a joint venture with Texas.

I love your scrappy block, and with the selvages it's superb. I'm from Norway, live at the west coast, but I'm from the north. The best attraction on my home place is North Cape, where you can see the midnight sun in summer. If you ever come to Norway I hope you tell me, and I'll guide you to the right places. Thanks for the giveaway.

I am a Southern Californian living in Clatskanie, Oregon for 13 1/2 years now. Our little town is about 40 minutes from the coast, which is where we like to take visitors. We go to Astoria, OR to see the Astoria Column, sites from where the films "Goonies" and "Kindergarten Cop" were filmed, and simply to enjoy the atmosphere of Astoria, an independent, somewhat artsy town with its own quilt shop (Homespun Quilts).

Conversation Hearts is just so much fun! Great idea!! I'm from Virginia and if you ever get over to the East Coast you must take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway - it's magnificent! No need to include me in your drawing as I also have a block in Vol. 16 (Puzzled Geese). I enjoy traveling along on the Road Rally to admire everyone's work! ~Debbie

I live in Henry County Ga. Home of the motor car races. The local fabric store A Scarlet Thread is one mile from my home. Your pattern are always neat. I love the Welcome Wreath, Mod Geo Cruiser and Trailerville and many more. lkcquilts@hotmail.com

Oh my gosh - what a beautiful quilt! I have a hard time envisioning what a lone block can become, so I love seeing the entire quilt. I'm writing from Western Maryland, where one of my favorite attractions is the C&O Canal towpath. If you come to visit, I'll take you there for one of my nature walks.

I like your scrappy heart blocks. And the overall look of a complete quilt is awesome. I live in Carcross, Yukon Territory, Canada. It is a small town but we have a lot to offer - in the summer anyway. A beautiful beach, lovely lakes for boating, great mountain bike trails and the world's smallest desert. Let me know if you are coming by this way.

I'm from the east side of Washington State in St. John (one hour south of Spokane). Our favorite spot in Washington is Lake Chelan, which is in the center of the state. Thank you for your giveaways. Love your block!

Congratulations on having your block included in Quiltmaker’s 100, Vol. 16! What a sweetblock! Love your idea about using the hears for signature blocks. Would love to do thisfor my quilt group. Right now I’m living outside of Sacramento, Ca. If you were to visit, this is the capital of California. The Redwoods, San Francisco, Yosemite and casinos are all close.

I am from NW Indiana. About 40 minutes away is Fair Oaks Farms. You can see calves and piglets being born and take bus tours to see the operation of the farm. It's a very educational and fun place to go. They also have homemade ice cream and a great restaurant there.

I live in Bassett, Nebraska--the midwest. We have a lot of different kinds of beautiful scenery including sandhills, wooded areas, canyons, and are near the Niobrara River which is a very popular tubing and canoeing site.We are a big cattle raising state.barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

I'm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is only 45 minutes away. Great stop if you're ever this direction. Thanks for the giveaway. interesting how you used the selvages!

If you ever get to Bettendorf, IA you will want to enjoy the mighty Mississippi River and all of the activities that can be enjoyed from River Boat Dinner Cruises, or any type of boating, jet or water skiing, to visiting the numerous locks & dams worthy of anyone’s time; the numerous museums, and parkways. Plus your visit wouldn’t be complete without attending the POPS Concert on the river front, so pack your picnic dinner, bring your lawn chair and enjoy the symphony and fireworks! Thank you Kelli for all your amazing patterns. My Grandson (and his Daddy) truly love the Minecraft quilts created with your patterns! Thank you!!

Our best attraction is the Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive in Virginia. We’re only 65 miles from DC and four hours from the Atlantic coast. Lots to do and see. Thanks for sharing your new block. grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

Such a unique block! Love it. I live in northern Wisconsin and we are known for our cold and snowy winters. Rhinelander is also the home of the Hodag - a beast that eats white bull dogs! Come see aometime. There are lots of them around....

Congratulations on a fun block!! So many ways to use it! Hello from Detroit, Michigan! So many things to do here -sports, lake fun or my favorite the Detroit Zoo or Henry Ford Greenfield Village! Thank you!

Kelli, if you love a carousel ride on a wooden horse, painted beautifully and costs $1, then stop into my town of Hampton, Virginia. It's a restored carousel from an amusement park that was built on the beach over 100 yrs ago.Congratulations on your publication in Quiltmaker 100 again...page 40, great!Thank you for sharing, Skittles and all.

I am a big fan of hearts so I really love your block and the fact that it works well for scraps as I have plenty of those. I am from Oregon and there are many things to do the one that we usually take first time visitors to is Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge.

Wouldn't these hearts make cute Valentine gifts as individual block mini hangings or even cards? My favorite local attraction here in Illinois near Ohare Field is the beautiful Busse Woods--miles of bike/walking trails, lakes to fish or kayak on, and even live elk.

Well, how cute! These little hearts are a good way for a quilt label, too, right? To go along with reminding yourself what fabric you used with the selvages.I live in Utah County, Utah. I live in the valley at 4700 feet above sea level, and it only takes me 5 minutes to drive into a canyon and into the mountains! Most mountains here are around 11,000 feet high. Even though it's a desert, we do have seasons, and the snow is called the best skiing on earth. The autumn colors are amazing. We have at least 2 different scenic "loops" in this valley, where you drive up one canyon and up the mountains, and come out in another canyon. One is the a around the back of Mt Timpanogos, from American Fork Canyon to Sundance in Provo Canyon called the "Alpine Loop". The one 5 minutes from my house, starts here in Payson Canyon, drives up past Mt Nebo, the road itself reaching over 9000 feet elevation--with Mt Nebo still looming much taller--and comes out Nephi Canyon. There's plenty of breathtaking views, campsites, lakes and rivers, fishing, deer and other wildlife, and trees of all kinds.reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

I do love heart blocks...yours is very sweet! I live in Dubuque Iowa, right along the mighty Mississippi River. We have a river walk next to the river where there are super restaurants and always something to see and do along the way. We have a great river museum too!

I love these blocks, I collect most of my selvedge but never know what to do with it!I've lived all over, but the place I grew up, and consider home is North Pole, Alaska. Of course the town is Christmas themed, with candy cane light poles, and the Santa Claus House which you can visit Santa at year round. Many letters to Santa get sent there, and they are covering the walls. Outside they have a huge Santa statue, and of course real life reindeer!

Your block is a wonderful idea. I love the bold colors that you used in the sample quilt layout. I am in Watertown, New York. One of my favorite attractions in town is the library. Flower Memorial Library was built 100 years ago and it is a beautiful building. Plus it has books.

I live in Green Bay, Wi. Of course you will come to see Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. Or maybe you would like to visit our amusement park and ride Elvis' favorite ride. Seriously!! Or if you come in December we could take in the Christmas lights at the Botanical Garden. Lots to do here.

the heart block is most interesting, has lots of possibilities... the block would also make great quilts for the children home. Thank you for the inspiration.cI've looked at the patterns under your tab... the two that caught my attention were... in to the woods, and the red-white zig-zag quilt Homestead Betty... how did you come up with that name?

Hi there. Great block! Based on the map, I'm not too far from you. I'm live in Sebastopol which is a little town in Sonoma County, California. While it is in the Wine Country, Sebastopol is actually known for its Gravenstein apples. We have the Apple Blossom Parade in Spring and the Gravenstein Apple Fair in the late summer. Come check it out sometime.

Hi Kelli! From the dairy state (WI). The best attractions are located 45-60 min. away in Door County with Barn Door Quilts in Sturgeon Bay as my number one stop. Also the love doing the winery hop, there are three on the way(yeah we have a designated driver!).

I love your little hearts. They look like they could be quite addicting! I live in Bartlesville, OK and our most famous attraction is Woolaroc. Oh, and I also don't live too far from Pioneer Woman's Mercantile shop. Thanks for sharing your talent with us! cknapp3626(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Thanks for designing such a fun and fresh block! It is definitely going on my "to do" list! :)I live in Windsor Ontario Canada. Some of the best local attractions are the many winerys that are close by. They offer different kinds of wine and and many have won awards for their efforts.

Love your hearts! Would love to try them!I live in Valencia, Spain...it's wonderful to walk around the old city center, especially the central market with its stained glass roof...the oldest in Europe!

Hi!I’m karrie and I live between Ann Arbor and Detroit in Michigan. I work at the Romulus Public Library which is my favorite place. Rae, who made the Washi Dress Pattern has a really fun sewing night that I never seen to be able to make, haha. She’s really cool. Pink Castle Fabrics, is a store that I worked for briefly that has awesome fabrics. I love fabric shopping!

Hi, I'm Karen and I live in two places: North Dakota until it gets too cold and then Arizona until it gets too hot. Yes, I have a stash at both places. North Dakota has the Enchanted Highway with huge metal sculptures which is fun to drive by. We also have Teddy Roosevelt National Park. Arizona has the best museum I've ever been to: The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix and also Saguaro National Park. Both are my favorites. Great block!kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

I live in Elyria, Ohio, about 30 minutes (or so) west of Cleveland. So many things to do in Cleveland! The zoo is great, we have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so many museums! We have wonderful Metroparks all throughout the cities and we love taking the kids for walks.